17 Dec 2021, 12:17

This week in photos: Tornado aftermath, Miss Universe 2021 and Father Frost's train

Take a look at the world in pictures from a TASS photo gallery

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Photographers in an American theater look at pictures of the aftermath of a tornado in Kentucky, December 16. The city of Mayfield suffered the most, where the roof of a candle factory collapsed. US President Joe Biden called the disaster strikes the largest in the history of the country

© Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Rescuers help a woman leave her home during a flood, Spain, December 12. In the east of Spain, due to heavy rains, the Ebro River overflowed its banks

© AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos

21-year-old Indian model and actress Harnaz Sandhu won the Miss Universe beauty pageant, Israel, December 12. Any girl of 18-28 years old with a bright appearance and a beautiful figure can take part in the competition. Contestants must not be married or in a civil union or have children

© Amir Levy/Getty Images

Boxers Umar Salamov (left) and Dmitry Bivol during the fight for the WBA Super title at the RCC Boxing Promotions evening at the Uralets cultural and entertainment complex, Yekaterinburg, December 12

© Donat Sorokin/TASS

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands kneels next to his car after becoming world champion after winning the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, December 12

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks with medical staff during a visit to a vaccination center in Ramsgate, December 16. On December 12, the chief sanitary officers of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland announced an increase in the degree of threat posed by the coronavirus from the third level to the fourth out of five existing against the background of the active spread of the omicron strain

© Leon Neal, Pool via AP

People welcome Father Frost's train arriving at the Yekaterinburg railway station, December 13. The mobile residence of Father Frost is a specialized festively decorated train, which includes a reception room, cars for games and quests, a restaurant, and a shop. During the trip, it is planned to visit more than 30 cities of Russia

© Donat Sorokin/TASS

Star Wars fans sit at Gabba Stadium in Brisbane watching a cricket match between teams from Australia and England, December 11

© EPA-EFE/JONO SEARLE

Ballet dancers Lydia Krylova and Edward Shapeko during the "The Immersive Nutcracker - A Winter Miracle" show at the GUM showroom, Moscow, December 15. The Canadian company Storywall Entertainment has created its own high-tech reading of the story based on the fairy tale of Hoffmann and Tchaikovsky's ballet

© Gavriil Grigorov/TASS

Canadian hockey players Philip Maye and Rhys Scarlett during a match at the Channel One Cup, Moscow, December 15. The Russian national ice hockey team won the opening match with Canada with a score of 4:3

© Yuri Kuzmin/POOL/TASS

World skimboarding champion Lucas Fink of Brazil falls off a wave in Portugal, December 11

© AP Photo/Armando Franca

Father Frost's train, Miss Universe 2021, and other stories are among some of the developments captured in this week's photos.

Military correspondent Alexander Fedorchak’s grave desecrated in Crimea

The circumstances, motives, and identity of the perpetrators are being established

Putin's proposal on external governance of Ukraine would 'save' country — Medvedchuk

Viktor Medvedchuk said that Vladimir Zelensky "will not approve of this decision, but it is equally clear that neither Russia nor the United States should pay any attention to this"

Trump rules out NATO membership for Ukraine

US President Donald Trump announced this to reporters on board Air Force One

Trump's son says Le Pen's verdict proves Vance right about EU

The US State Department declined to comment

Yesterday, 02:14

Kiev troops start using FPV drones of longer range

The new drones were detected in the Zaporozhye, Orekhov, Dzerzhinsk, Kremennaya and Kharkov directions of the special military operation, as well as in Russia’s borderline areas of Belgorod and Kursk

Russia’s General Staff reports on 133,000 conscripts drafted in 2024 fall campaign

The spring military conscription begins in Russia from April 1 and "today we are holding a briefing devoted to its commencement," Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Organizational and Mobilization Department Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky said

Medvedev calls Russia's latest missiles best cure for Russophobia

The politician said that Russophobia stems from "bipolar affective exaggeration of Russia’s influence on the life of Europe and Europeans" and alternates between manic and depressive phases

Yesterday, 19:29

Russian traveler Fyodor Konyukhov boarded on cargo ship sailing to China

The voyager was taken on board of a cargo ship sailing to China’s Qingdao, the center informed

US to receive tough response if attempts to stir up rebellion in Iran — supreme leader

Ali Khamenei said that it was unlikely, that the US would attack on the country from outside

Pentagon announces investigation into death of US servicemen in Lithuania

On March 27, the US Army authorities confirmed that an M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was discovered

Two days ago, 16:08

Kiev continues attacks on Russian energy infrastructure facilities — Russian top brass

According to the ministry, the Kiev regime has just increased the number of attacks on energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions, despite Zelensky’s claims

NATO finds no proof of Russia’s involvement in destruction of cables in Baltic Sea — media

Meanwhile, Belgian Navy Commander Erik Kockx, who heads a group taking part in a NATO mission in the Baltic Sea, pointed out that it’s hard to evaluate the practical effect of the bloc’s increased presence in the region

Two days ago, 16:48

IN BRIEF: What is known about Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities

TASS has compiled main facts from the statements by the Russian Defense Ministry

Belarusian customs detains US national for illegally crossing border by train

The border trespasser was promptly detained by the customs alert group in cooperation with the Molodechno police and paramilitary railway guards

Another Putin-Trump’s phone call not yet on Russian president’s agenda — Kremlin

"Such a telephone call could be organized quite promptly if necessary," Dmitry Peskov added

Yesterday, 18:32

EU ready to react as single whole to US duties

Trade wars do harm to all the parties, Scholz noted

Yesterday, 15:07

US to impose restrictions on Russian oil if no deal on Ukraine is reached — Trump

Trump said that would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States

Russia to get world’s most combat-fit army after Ukraine conflict, says expert

The confrontation in Ukraine was accompanied by "the use of a large amount of technologies that had never been employed before and that began to play a completely critical role in modern warfare," Vasily Kashin noted

UK ready to negotiate defense deal with EU — foreign minister

Europe's security is indivisible, British Foreign Minister David Lammy stressed

French authorities move on to eliminating political opponents, Russian senator says

Vladimir Dzhabarov noted that Le Pen's party secured 34% of the vote in the European Parliament elections, which ultimately undermined President Macron's initiative for early elections to the National Assembly

Iran vows consequences for US after Trumps’ threats of 'never-seen-before' bombing

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, such statements run counter to the United Nations Charter and the safeguards under the International Atomic Energy Agency

Yesterday, 17:48

Europe standing to lengthen life of Kiev’s regime — Lavrov

Instincts of the ruling class in Europe are clearly demonstrated in developments in Ukraine, the top Russian diplomat said

Press review: Rare earth talks boost Russia-US ties as EU seeks influence in Central Asia

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 31st

It is now obvious to everyone what Western jurisdictions are worth — Putin

"But now the covers have completely fallen off, as they say, and it has become evident to everyone what the various high courts in the European capitals, Western jurisdictions, where many sought to hide in, are worth," the Russian president said

Paint it Australian: WTA officially puts Russian-born Kasatkina under new flag

Following the IOC's recommendations in late February 2022, the majority of global sports federations decided to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international sports tournaments

Putin proposes introducing UN external governance in Ukraine to hold election

The Russian president reiterated that such precedents under the auspices of the UN existed in East Timor, New Guinea and parts of former Yugoslavia

Yesterday, 05:22

Ukraine’s army loses dozens of combat vehicles northwest of Sudzha in Kursk Region

The largest amount of the destroyed Ukrainian military equipment remains in the settlements of Malaya Loknya, Nikolskoye, Pogrebki, Lebedevka and along the Korenevo-Sudzha road

Kremlin points to lack of Trump's quotes about his alleged anger at Putin

According to Dmitry Peskov, some of the mentioned Donald Trump's statements were paraphrased

France headed for 'stormy uncharted waters' after Le Pen's sentence — Kneissl

The former top Austrian diplomat recalled that "the French Parliament finds itself in a real quagmire" since last summer, with governments rapidly "changing, like it was the case during the third Republic"

Militaries in France, Europe bracing for war with Russia — newspaper

A French officer told the newspaper that his country’s military is "getting ready for the worst"

FACTBOX: What is known about Marine Le Pen’s sentence

In accordance with the court decision, Marine Le Pen will have to wear an electronic bracelet for two of the four years

8 Apr 2013, 17:00

Monument to nationalist leader Bandera destroyed in Lvov region

Police said they have started an investigation

Zakharova calls Le Pen's sentence 'agony of liberal democracy'

Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling funds intended for hiring assistants in the European Parliament

Ukraine targets journalists in Donbass on Kiev regime's orders — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that while large "Press" markings once offered some degree of protection, they have now become a sort of danger, as Ukrainian commanders increasingly disregard them

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfield, UAV assembly workshops over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 200 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

European brands expect Moscow to quickly pardon everything — Russian diplomat

According to Kirill Logvinov, the respective decisions will be made individually

Trump planning Saudi trip in May — Axios

This was reported by two US officials and a source familiar with the president's travel plans

Russia downs 66 Ukrainian drones over three regions overnight

In particular, Russian air defenses destroyed 41 UAVs over the Bryansk Region, 24 over the Kaluga Region and one over the Kursk Region

EU missed opportunity to reconsider stance on Russia — Foreign Ministry

"As for Brussels' determination to follow through, it is rather a path towards self-destruction of the EU," Kirill Logvinov noted

Yesterday, 09:06

Russian forces engaged in fierce fighting to retake last few communities in Kursk Region

In particular, in the area of the settlement of Basovka, Russian forces have dislodged Ukrainian troops from a stronghold and are consolidating their gains, a source said

US’ draft minerals deal unconstitutional, Zelensky's office says

Sergey Leshchenko added that Kiev should take into account that US President Donald Trump, whose administration has put forward the agreement, "is there for a long time"

IN BRIEF: What we know about detention of Gagauzia’s head Evghenia Gutsul

On March 25, Evghenia Gutsul was detained at the Chisinau Airport

Yesterday, 13:23

Iran rejects direct talks with US on its nuclear program — Iranian president

Iran stressed in its reply letter that the Islamic Republic never avoided direct talks and only unfulfilled pledges triggered problems on that issue that must be resolved to restore trust between the two countries while the fate of the negotiations "will be determined by the behavior of the Americans"

Star of 2025 Oscar best picture placed in Ukraine's extremist database

The website says the 23-year-old actor is listed for "encroachment on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and repeated deliberate violation of the Ukrainian state border"

US-Ukraine minerals deal resembles colonial exploitation of Africa — media

The earlier proposal collapsed following a scandal during a meeting between Vladimir Zelensky and the US leadership at the White House

Orban expresses support for Le Pen after her conviction

Marine Le Pen, who heads the National Rally faction in the French Parliament, was also stripped of her electoral rights for five years

Two days ago, 04:31

Many Asian countries’ leaders invited to Victory Day parade in Moscow — Russian MFA

It became known earlier that the Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party To Lam would be present at the parade

Shanghai to host Russian-Chinese conference on global, Eurasian challenges

The event titled "Space of Joint Development: Global and Eurasian Dimensions" kicks off in Shanghai on March 31

Trump questions US military presence in Africa — report

The media reported earlier that the Trump administration is considering a slew of measures to cut spending and shift focus to the Indo-Pacific region and rivalry with China

Yesterday, 13:21

First German launch vehicle fell soon after launch

The launch was made from the Norwegian Andoya launch site

Ukraine’s army attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with over 60 munitions in past day

In the village of Ivanovskaya Lisitsa, a security council secretary was wounded after the detonation of a munition

EU may fail to ease sanctions on Russia even if US lifts — Foreign Ministry

"Any abandonment of sanctions would only be possible if the EU ceases to view illegitimate sanctions as a tool of foreign policy," Kirill Logvinov stated

Yesterday, 14:22

Finnish president dreams of engaging US in Ukrainian conflict Russian diplomat

The Finnish president said earlier in an interview with the Politico news outlet that the "armed to the teeth" Ukraine should be in the basis of the deterrence policy

Putin perfectly open to contacts with Trump — Kremlin

Earlier, Trump announced his intention to call Putin again this week

Yesterday, 07:50

Yemen’s Houthis claim attacking US aircraft carrier three times in last 24 hours

"The counteraction operation involved missile troops, unmanned aerial vehicles and naval forces that used several cruise missiles and drones," the Houthi spokesman said

Yesterday, 21:36

Unknown person opened fire from roof in Murmansk — governor

Law enforcement staff is in action

A third of Russian spring draft conscripts to be sent to training centers — General Staff

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to call up 160,000 conscripts for military service in the spring campaign, according to the document published on Monday

Kiev's military tries to distract resources of Russian army in border regions — top brass

The Akhmat commando forces of the Russian Defense Ministry are currently deployed in the Kursk border area and the Belgorod Region, with additional units stationed in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR)

Trump says new US tariffs will affect 'all countries'

The American president claimed that the US tariffs would be much more lenient than the tariffs previously imposed by other countries on US exports

Ukraine will not recognize US military aid as debt, Zelensky says

The previous version of the deal was not signed because of a verbal spat between Vladimir Zelensky and US leaders at the White House

Russia displays counter-UAV laser rifle

According to the designer company, the laser beam destroys the drone body, propeller, engines, battery

EU to end up on periphery with its simplistic approach to politics — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov noted that the EU approach to Syria showed that EU members would continue making attempts to isolate Russia in the international arena despite everything

Yesterday, 15:35

Trump says he is going to have phone talk with Putin shortly — TV

The previous telephone conversation between the two leaders was held on March 18

EU not to resume discussions with Russia on counterterrorism efforts — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov answered the question about whether the EU intended to resume dialogue with Russia, considering the ongoing situation surrounding Syria

US media conduct propaganda, neglect to cover Russia's position — ex-CIA analyst

In early March, Larry Johnson visited the Victory Museum in Moscow as part of the US delegation

Trump says Zelensky wants to back out of rare earth deal

US President says Zelensky will "get into trouble" if he backs out of deal

Yesterday, 15:28

Presidential election in Ukraine may be held in July — The Economist

Vladimir Zelensky will attempt to catch his competitors by surprise, hoping that they will fail to arrange an efficient campaign within a short term, the source said

Kremlin not surprised by NYT investigation into US involvement in Ukrainian conflict

According to the report, the United States has been supplying the Ukrainian authorities with daily coordinates of Russian Armed Forces’ positions from its base in Wiesbaden

INTERVIEW: Russia’s money meant for UN gets stuck amid latest US sanctions — diplomat

According to Kirill Logvinov, this constitutes a major problem for the UN

Russian forces to overwhelm Ukrainian troops, Putin believes

"There are grounds to think that we will finish them off," the Russian leader said

Trump’s tariffs on Russian oil supplies will not affect China’s imports — Foreign Ministry

Guo Jiakun clarified that Beijing maintains a "consistent and clear position on the Ukrainian crisis" and that dialogue and negotiations are the only effective means of resolving the conflict

Yesterday, 17:40

Camera crew attacked by drone in Donetsk People’s Republic

TV channel said that The drone exploded nearby, fragmentations partly hit the car

Any NATO actions likely to make Russia, China cautious — expert

Wan Qingsong asserted that since the start of the Ukrainian crisis, NATO not only worsened the situation but also extended its influence

Le Pen sentenced to four years in prison, five-year election disqualification

Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling funds intended for hiring assistants in the European Parliament

Six European countries declare readiness to impose new sanctions against Russia

The meeting participants spoke in favor of Russian assets remaining blocked until the conflict ends and the damage allegedly caused to Ukraine is compensated

Two days ago, 05:53

Assets of Ukrainian businessman Shifrin arrested in Russia on fraud case

The businessman was granted Russian citizenship in October 2016. In 2022, after the onset of the special military operation, he applied to the Russian embassy on renunciation of Russian citizenship

Risks of another quake occurring in Mandalay, Myanmar persist — Russian rescuers

Meanwhile, the Russian Emergencies Ministry has started to regroup its 120 rescuers in Myanmar to quake-hit Mandalay

Police identify man behind shooting in Russia’s Arctic city of Murmansk — official

The man, born in 1981, opened gunfire at a unit of the Patrol and Guard Service from atop a building on Kolsky Avenue in downtown Murmansk late on March 30

Yesterday, 12:06

Russian troops liberate Zaporozhye community in Donetsk region over past day

TASS has compiled the main information about the special operation progress over the past 24 hours

14 Jul 2024, 09:37

Assassination attempt on Putin mentioned by Budanov prepared with US money — Russian MFA

"Yesterday one of chiefs of the Kiev regime Buganov openly admitted that the Ukrainian intelligence service prepared assassination attempts on the Russian president. This assassination attempt was again prepared with US money," Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel

Trump says would not want to put secondary tariffs on Russia

"It would not be very good for them", said the American President

Trump suggests there is `psychological’ deadline for Russia to agree to Ukraine ceasefire

The US leader also expressed confidence that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would like to make a deal to resolve the Ukraine conflict

Yesterday, 17:45

No mentioning of Red Army’s heroic deeds by UN gives rise to concerns — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Guterres, when speaking at the ceremony dedicated to the 80th anniversary of liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau, did not mention the Red Army a single time, although the Memory Day for these victims was established according to results of the heroic deed of the Red Army fighters

Yesterday, 21:38

Trump says he is serious on re-election opportunity — TV

The US President noted that "it is still too early to think about this"

Paris court finds Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds

In addition, the court convicted 12 assistants, estimating the total funds involved at €4 million

Press review: Germany mulls Nord Stream restoration as Zaporozhye NPP sparks talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 28th

India, Russia kick off second stage of Indra Navy exercise in Bay of Bengal

The second stage of Indra Navy 2025 will last for three days and will focus on joint maneuvering, sailing in formation, and exercises to counter air and surface threats

Russian embassy slams British PM’s ceasefire deadline idea as 'absurd'

"The arbitrary deadlines Starmer hastily devised in his remarks to journalists are completely unfounded — especially given London’s clear intent to derail any peace initiatives," the statement reads

Military correspondent Alexander Fedorchak’s grave desecrated in Crimea

The circumstances, motives, and identity of the perpetrators are being established

Trump serious about normalization with Russia, EU has no option — ex-US intel official

Graham Fuller did not rule out that Europe would also move towards normalizing relations with Russia in the foreseeable future

Three US soldiers missing at exercise in Lithuania are dead

The deaths of the three US servicemen were confirmed by the US Joint Command Europe and Africa

Kiev trying to counterattack in Donetsk area amid Russian army’s full dominance, says DPR

According to the report, Russian forces continue advancing through forest belts in the Velikaya Novosyolka frontline area

Two days ago, 08:57

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian special units in Guyevo — security forces

"The enemy expects to hold off the advance of the Russian armed forces as long as possible, hoping to escape through the forest to the Sumy Region," the source said

Moldovan Foreign Ministry declares three Russian Embassy employees personae non gratae

Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov branded the accusations by the Moldovan side as "untenable and unsubstantiated"

Russia against peacekeepers from countries supporting Kiev in Ukraine — envoy

Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations Kirill Logvinov also recalled that it was the "arrogant unwillingness of Westerners to hear" Moscow's position that led to the conflict

EU politicians regret rejecting Putin’s security proposals — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov opined that members of Europe’s current political elite were unable to truly appreciate the fact that Europe lived in peace for 80 years

Russia’s Battlegroup West downs 17 Ukrainian drones, wipes out 23 drone control centers

According to the spokesman for the battlegroup Ivan Bigma, the battlegroup hit two mechanized, one assault and one territorial defense brigades in the Kharkov Region, the LPR, the DPR and in the Serebryanka forestry

Two days ago, 00:57

Kiev trying to reassemble front, force Russian army to retreat from Volchansk — expert

Andrey Marochko said that development of combat power is registered in this area, including by assault teams

Russia actively working on inviting state, government leaders to May 9 events — MFA

Kirill Logvinov also outlined key events planned around major historical milestones, including the signing of the UN Charter on June 26, the Potsdam Conference from July 17 to August 2, and UN Day on October 24

Trump warns of additional tariffs on Iran

According to Reuters, US President made this statement to reporters on board Air Force One

Yesterday, 21:41

Special police staff neutralizes shooter in Murmansk, no one injured

The attacker acted alone, and he has been wounded